The other three men looked on, initially stunned, and then clenched their fists and charged at Lin Mo.
In Lin Mo's eyes, these people were no different from kindergarten children. Without even using True Qi, he relied merely on his strength to blast the three men away, sending all four sprawling to the ground, wailing and rolling in agony.
Lin Mo frowned.
The abilities of these four didn't even compare to a Martial Saint's. If someone wanted to target him, they wouldn't send such weaklings, not even fit to be cannon fodder.
Could it be that they were after Lin Shanshan or Xia Mengdie?
At that thought, a hint of murderous intent flashed in Lin Mo's eyes.
Others could target him or even try to assassinate him, and he wouldn't get angry, but those daring to touch his loved ones crossed a line.
"What exactly are you four up to?" Lin Mo asked with an icy demeanor.
The four men looked at each other in confusion. They were all Martial Cultivators, and struggling to understand how this delicate-looking youth could be so formidable.
"If you won't speak, I'll kill you right now," Lin Mo declared, about to gather his True Qi, when suddenly a black shadow flashed by, bringing a fierce wind in its wake.
A middle-aged man sporting a beard kicked towards Lin Mo. His leg was straight as an iron whip, sweeping across. As he did so, his foot subtly changed direction, the sharp tip of his shoe aiming for Lin Mo's temple—a deathblow.
Even if one didn't die on the spot, a hit could still render one an idiot.
A chill flashed in Lin Mo's eyes as he abruptly grasped the man's ankle. The attacker appeared shocked, not expecting Lin Mo to react so quickly.
As the man tried to alter his attack and retract his leg, he suddenly felt an immense force rendering him immobile.
Lin Mo's hands were like iron tongs grasping his foot, then with a twist, the man's pants tore to shreds, and his bones broke piece by piece, warping like twisted dough.
An intense pain delayed by a second coursed through the man's central nervous system before he let out a muffled scream of agony and fell to the ground.
The other men, witnessing their strongest peer defeated by a youth with a twist of his thigh, were utterly astonished.
A chill descended upon them all in an instant, especially when they saw Lin Mo's eyes, a coldness that swept through their entire bodies.
That indifferent gaze, regarding human life as mere grass.
Only a Devil who had taken countless lives possessed such icy eyes.
"Since you are unwilling to talk, then I'll just kill you," Lin Mo spoke, when suddenly a voice came from the side.
"Young man, wait a moment."
Lin Mo glanced over and saw an old man in a black robe walking forward, recognizing immediately that he was an Advanced Martial Saint.
"Who are you?" Lin Mo concealed his aura, presenting himself as a Martial Saint.
The elder looked Lin Mo up and down, a hint of shock flashing through his eyes, astonished to find that such a young man was a Martial Saint.
"Young man, these people are with me, we meant no harm," the elder spoke.
"No harm? Then why have you been following me?" Lin Mo asked with a cold chuckle.
The elderly man shook his head and said, "Young man, we're not following you but are here for the young lady by your side. She is our young miss; we're merely protecting her."
Lin Mo hesitated for a moment, then gave the elderly man a cold glance, "If you dare follow us again, there will be no mercy."
Having said that, Lin Mo turned and left.
After Lin Mo had gone, the elderly man frowned, a trace of gravity showing on his face.
"Mr. Huang, my leg is ruined... Why didn't you capture that kid just now?" The middle-aged man with the broken leg lay on the ground, his forehead covered with cold sweat as he spoke in agony.
Mr. Huang said in a deep voice, "Though I could have beaten him, considering his young age and the strength he already possesses, it's likely he has some expert behind him. It's better not to offend him; we'll discuss the young miss's matter later."
"Brother Mo, why have you been gone for so long? Shanshan and Sister Mengdie have already released the river lanterns," Lin Shanshan said with a smile upon seeing Lin Mo's return.
"Releasing river lanterns is supposed to come with a wish, what did you wish for?" Lin Mo asked with a smile.
"Why are you acting like a curious baby? If I tell, it won't come true," Xia Mengdie said softly with a teasing expression.
Lin Shanshan nodded in agreement, "Yes, Sister Mengdie is right, we can't say it out loud, otherwise, it won't come true."
"Alright then," Lin Mo said, resigned.
He didn't plan on telling Shanshan about what had happened earlier. This was a matter he would need to discuss with his aunt. He had heard rumors back at the Lin Family, about people claiming Lin Mei got pregnant before marriage and was then abandoned, giving birth to Shanshan. Could it be that Shanshan's biological father had come back?
It was because of this consideration that Lin Mo had not struck mercilessly. Otherwise, with his temperament, anyone who dared covet his loved ones would have been immediately cut down.
They strolled until nine or ten o'clock in the evening before Lin Mo took Lin Shanshan and Xia Mengdie home, though he asked Xia Mengdie to return to her mother's place halfway through.
Xia Mengdie, being very astute, understood that Lin Mo must have something on his mind and did not ask further. Then, Lin Mo and Lin Shanshan went back home together.
When they got home, Lin Shanshan was holding bags of all sizes, her face beaming with happiness.
"Mom, I'm back."
"Auntie."
Lin Mei, dressed in casual home clothes, was watching TV alone on the couch, where the evening news was playing.
"Shanshan is back, and your Brother Mo has bought you so many things again," Lin Mei chuckled and teased.
"Brother Mo treats me well, that's why he got them for me," Lin Shanshan pouted and said, "I'm going upstairs to change."
After saying that, she ran upstairs, thumping up the stairs. Lin Mei's face showed a look of indulgent yet helpless amusement.
Lin Mo, however, had a serious expression as he watched Lin Mei and said in a low voice, "Auntie, someone was following Shanshan today, it seems..."
Lin Mei's face paled, her fists clenched in anger, "How dare these people follow Shanshan."
"With me around, Shanshan will be fine, but can you tell me what exactly is going on?" Lin Mo asked as he sat down on the couch, looking at Lin Mei.
"I knew I couldn't keep it hidden for long; this secret has been buried in my heart for eighteen years," Lin Mei suddenly sighed, glancing up the stairs to make sure Lin Shanshan had returned to her room before saying to Lin Mo, "Xiao Mo, you're not an ordinary person. Your auntie trusts you a lot; I haven't even told your father this secret."